HB 482 — An Act authorizing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to join the Interstate Compact; providing for the form of the compact; and imposing additional powers and duties on the Governor, the Secretary of the Commonwealth and the Compact.

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.

465 PRINTER'STHE NO.GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of No.

1942482 THE2025 GENERALINTRODUCED ASSEMBLYBY OFMARKOSEK, PENNSYLVANIABURGOS, HOUSEFREEMAN, BILLHARKINS, SessionSAPPEY, DONAHUE, GIRAL, SANCHEZ, GUENST, VENKAT, HANBIDGE, HILL- EVANS, KHAN, HOHENSTEIN, DALEY, SHUSTERMAN, DEASY, GREEN, MADDEN AND CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, FEBRUARY 4, 2025 REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE, FEBRUARY 4, 2025 AN ACT Authorizing the Commonwealth of No.Pennsylvania to join the Interstate Compact;

482 2025 INTRODUCED BY MARKOSEK, BURGOS, FREEMAN, HARKINS, SAPPEY, DONAHUE, GIRAL, SANCHEZ, GUENST, VENKAT, HANBIDGE, HILL- EVANS, KHAN, HOHENSTEIN, DALEY, SHUSTERMAN, DEASY, GREEN, MADDEN AND CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, FEBRUARY 4, 2025 AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, JUNE 17, 2025 AN ACT Authorizing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to join the Interstate Compact;

20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 2 - B.

"Data System" means a repository of information about 20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 3 - Licensees, including but not limited to license status, Investigative Information, Compact Privileges, and Adverse Actions.

"Occupational Therapy Assistant" means an individual who is licensed by a State to assist in the Practice of Occupational 20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 4 - Therapy.

"Single-State License" means an Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy Assistant license issued by a Member State 20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 5 - that authorizes practice only within the issuing State and does not include a Compact Privilege in any other Member State.

A Member State shall, within a time frame established by the Commission, require a criminal background check for a Licensee seeking/applying for a Compact Privilege whose Primary State of Residence is that Member State, by receiving the results of the Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal record 20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 6 - search, and shall use the results in making licensure decisions.

COMPACT PRIVILEGE 20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 7 - A.

The Licensee must comply with the requirements of Section 4A to maintain the Compact Privilege in 20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 8 - the Remote State.

The specific period of time for which the Compact 20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 9 - Privilege was removed has ended;

Upon receipt of an application for obtaining a new Home State license by virtue of compact privilege, the new Home State shall verify that the Occupational Therapist or Occupational 20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 10 - Therapy Assistant meets the pertinent criteria outlined in Section 4 via the Data System, without need for primary source verification except for:

20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 11 - E.

Subpoenas issued by a Licensing Board in a Member State for the attendance and testimony of witnesses or the production of evidence from another Member State shall be enforced in the latter State by any court of competent jurisdiction, according to the practice and procedure of that court applicable to subpoenas issued in proceedings pending 20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 12 - before it.

In addition to the authority granted to a Member State by its respective State Occupational Therapy laws and regulations 20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 13 - or other applicable State law, any Member State may participate with other Member States in joint investigations of Licensees.

20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 14 - 2.

Additional meetings shall be held as set forth in 20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 15 - the bylaws.

Accept any and all appropriate donations and grants of 20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 16 - money, equipment, supplies, materials and services, and receive, utilize and dispose of the same;

20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 17 - a.

The Commission or the Executive Committee or other 20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 18 - committees of the Commission may convene in a closed, non-public meeting if the Commission or Executive Committee or other committees of the Commission must discuss:

If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed pursuant 20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 19 - to this provision, the Commission's legal counsel or designee shall certify that the meeting may be closed and shall reference each relevant exempting provision.

The Commission shall not incur obligations of any kind 20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 20 - prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the same;

The Commission shall defend any member, officer, executive director, employee, or representative of the Commission in any civil action seeking to impose liability arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, 20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 21 - or responsibilities, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities;

20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 22 - 2.

20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 23 - B.

20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 24 - 3.

20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 25 - 4.

or 20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 26 - 4.

The Commission shall be entitled to receive service of process in any such proceeding, and shall have standing to 20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 27 - intervene in such a proceeding for all purposes.

A State that has been terminated is responsible for all assessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred through the 20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 28 - effective date of termination, including obligations that extend beyond the effective date of termination.

In the event judicial enforcement 20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 29 - is necessary, the prevailing member shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney's fees.

Withdrawal shall not affect the continuing requirement of the withdrawing State's Occupational Therapy Licensing Board to comply with the investigative and Adverse Action reporting requirements of this act prior to the effective date of 20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 30 - withdrawal.

20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 31 - C.

20250HB0482PN194220250HB0482PN0465 - 32 - Section 4.

This act shall take effect in 60 daysdays. 18 MONTHS.

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